Low Vision Rehabilitation Q&A
Q&A with Braille Institute Low Vision Specialist Leslie Burkhardt
Leslie Burkhardt has a Master’s degree in Low Vision Rehabilitation. She has been working at Braille Institute’s Los Angeles Sight Center for more than 30 years. Scene magazine recently sat down with her for an interview about low vision rehabilitation and Braille Institute’s FREE low vision consultations.
Scene: How do most of your clients hear about our services?
Leslie Burkhardt: Clients typically come to me through word of mouth or a doctor’s referral. Although a doctor’s referral is not mandatory to bring on a first visit, it is preferred to make sure that everything has been done medically before coming.
Scene: What typically occurs during a low vision consultation?
LB: First I log all of the client’s background, including the details of their eye disease, date of onset and other medical information. The key is to figure out what each client’s individual goals are so we can determine what we can do to make the most of their remaining vision and make their life better.
Scene: What is the S.E.T.T. framework* and how do you use it?
LB: S.E.T.T. stands for Student (or Self), Environment, Task and Technology, which is the organizational framework I use to determine each client’s course of action. In a nutshell, this involves finding out exactly who the client is, the specific qualities of their environment, what particular tasks they want to accomplish and what devices or other modifications will work best for each circumstance. The goal is to use each individual’s remaining vision and/or other senses to accomplish daily tasks such as reading and bill-paying in the most efficient way possible.
Scene: What sorts of devices do you recommend?
LB: It varies according each client’s needs, visual stamina, task and many more factors. It may involve low-tech devices such as handheld magnifiers and more advanced devices such as a video magnification system, sometimes called a CCTV (closed-circuit television). I let my clients try a bit of everything to see what works best for them. Usually it is a combination of adaptations, typically different devices or techniques for different tasks. Sometimes the answer is very simple and merely involves the use of a handheld magnifier and modifications in lighting, which is an often-overlooked element in the equation. In the end, whatever works best is the best solution.
Scene: What would you tell someone who is considering a consultation for themselves or a loved one?
LB: I’d advise them to come in as soon as they can. There are many situations that are simply guesswork until we sit down and analyze exactly what someone’s needs are and what options are available. I’ve seen cases where an adult child thought their parent was suffering from early onset dementia and it was really just a case of age-related vision loss. With some minor modifications, we may be able to affect significant improvements in the quality of a client’s life.
If you or a loved one might benefit from a FREE low vision consultation at Braille Institute, don’t hesitate. Call 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) today. Consultations are available at all five Centers and on our Mobile Solutions vehicles.
* The S.E.T.T. Framework was developed by Dr. Joy Zabala, a special educator and expert on assistive technology.